International Fight Week culminates in UFC 226, among the best cards on paper we’ve seen in a while. This card is piled to bottom — I’d seriously advise watching nearly all the bouts with this card but that doesn’t always lend itself nicely to bettors. Do not worry, I am here to bring you a comprehensive breakdown and prediction for every single fight on the main card of UFC 226.
2018 Prediction Record To Date
Straight Up Selecting Notifications Picking Underdogs
27-19 23-13 4-6
Stipe Miocic vs Daniel Cormier
Miocic (-250) has built his match around his world boxing abilities. He always probes with his long jab as he waits for his opportunity to cancel. That having been said, Miocic could be better when he is fighting in a phone booth with more power in his brief punches than many humans have, period. Additionally, the reigning champion is a former D1 wrestler who has adapted his style excellently to MMA. Generally, these skills are utilized but Miocic may also use them offensively to wear down opponents — see his latest bout versus Francis Ngannou. When he has one big drawback, it is his defense. He has a terrible tendency to have a hit to provide a hit.
Cormier (+195) is first and foremost a chain wrestling expert. The former Olympian is at his finest when he could get his opponent’s back from the cage and start working his enormous array of takedowns. If he gets on top, DC is a master at making his opponent work when giving them go. His striking is not the sexiest but the meat-and-potatoes approach is getting an excellent secondary skill set for Cormier. Though he’s known to be a heavyweight — 13-0 in the weight class — his height and reach disadvantage is going to be pronounced in this one.
Unlike the betting odds, I would not be shocked if Cormier won this struggle. The only man to ever beat him is Jon Jones. But, Miocic is a great boxer who will utilize his reach advantage over the smaller Cormier and the heavyweight champion’s wrestling background means that he won’t be steamrolled by the former Olympian.
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